NPR News: 12-05-2024 9AM EST

Summary

NPR News Now: December 5, 2024, 9AM EST

Host: Korva Coleman
Author: NPR
Release Date: December 5, 2024

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US Presidential Transition: Trump’s Pre-Inauguration Moves

In the latest developments surrounding the US presidential transition, President-elect Donald Trump has begun to assert his policy preferences ahead of his inauguration on January 20th. Highlighting a proactive stance, Trump took to social media to address the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.

Greg Myhre reported:

"Trump took to social media and demanded the Palestinian group Hamas release Israeli hostages before he's sworn in on January 20th. If they aren't freed, Trump said, there will be, quote, hell to pay."
[00:36]

Princeton historian Julian Zelizer weighed in on the potential impact of Trump's aggressive approach:

"If his doing this somehow moves unmovable leaders on issues, that would be a good thing, but we don't know if it will work out that way. He obviously could also end up subverting Biden."
[00:57]

In addition to Middle Eastern affairs, Trump has also made economic moves by threatening tariffs on Canada and Mexico. This has prompted leaders from both nations to reach out for clarification, indicating escalating tensions before the transition of power.

Syrian Conflict: Insurgents Advance into Hama

The Syrian civil war continues to evolve, with significant developments in the central city of Hama. Anti-government insurgent forces have reportedly entered Hama, a strategic stronghold that has remained under government control since the conflict's inception in 2011.

Hadil Al Shelchi provided an in-depth analysis:

"Hama has been one of the few cities in Syria that's been completely under government control since the civil war broke out in 2011. It's also a supply route used by Iran to move arms to their Lebanese ally Hezbollah. If the rebel forces capture the city fully, it will be a major victory for them since they launched a shock offensive last week which saw the takeover of Syria's second city, Aleppo."
[01:43]

The offensive is being led by the jihadist group Hay et Tahrir al Sham (HTS), recognized as a terrorist organization by the United States. Despite strenuous efforts, violent clashes have erupted on the eastern outskirts of Hama. However, Syrian state media has denied that insurgents have fully breached the city defenses.

Tragic Shooting in Northern California Kindergarten

A disturbing incident unfolded in Northern California, where a gunman critically wounded two kindergarten students at a Seventh Day Adventist Church school before taking his own life.

Butte County Sheriff Corey Honey provided initial insights:

"We have received some information that leads us to believe that the subject responsible for this shooting targeted this school because of its affiliation with the Seventh Day Adventist Church."
[02:46]

Further details emerged indicating that the gunman had engaged in conversations with a school administrator about potentially enrolling a student, though authorities are still investigating the motives behind the attack.

Secret Service Faces Scrutiny Over Security Lapses

The acting director of the Secret Service, Ronald Roose, is set to testify before a House panel investigating recent security failures that preceded two failed assassination attempts against President-elect Trump. Roose emphasized that accountability measures are being implemented to address these lapses.

Korva Coleman reported:

"Acting Director Ronald Roose says accountability for the Secret Service's failures is underway. Now the House panel is preparing to wrap up its investigation."
[03:16]

Climate Alert: Arctic Sea Ice May Disappear by 2027

A groundbreaking study published in Nature Communications warns that the Arctic Sea could experience its first ice-free day as early as 2027. This alarming prediction underscores the accelerating pace of global warming and its profound impact on climate systems.

Climatologist Alexandra Yan explained:

"But new computer modeling using decades of climate data suggests all that ice could melt in as soon as three years."
[03:49]

Jan Said highlighted the environmental repercussions:

"The more sea ice we remove from the Arctic, the more sunlight gets absorbed in the Arctic and that changes how much heat overall we have in the climate system."
[04:17]

Yan stressed the urgency of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate this rapid ice loss:

"Jan says rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the only way to prevent Arctic ice loss."
[04:26]

UNESCO Honors Diverse Cultural Heritage

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has expanded its Intangible Cultural Heritage List, recognizing a variety of cultural practices and foods from around the world. Notable inclusions this year feature Japanese sake and Brazilian white cheese, among others.

Hadil Al Shelchi noted:

"UNESCO says Intangible Cultural Heritage List recognizes foods and practices to protect them for future generations."
[04:34]

This initiative aims to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural diversity that defines different communities globally, ensuring these traditions endure amidst a rapidly changing world.

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Conclusion

This episode of NPR News Now encapsulates critical global and national issues, from the intricacies of US political transitions and ongoing Middle Eastern and Syrian conflicts to pressing climate change concerns and tragic local events. Additionally, the recognition of cultural heritage by UNESCO highlights the importance of preserving humanity's diverse traditions. The inclusion of expert opinions and direct quotes provides listeners with nuanced perspectives on each topic, underscoring the complex interplay of factors shaping our world today.

Transcript

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[Korva Coleman]

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. During US Presidential transitions, incoming presidents are eager to start putting their policies into place, but they're usually restrained by the long standing principle of one president at a time. As NPR's Greg Myhrey reports, President elect Trump is already declaring policies that differ from those of President Biden.

[Greg Myhre]

Trump took to social media and demanded the Palestinian group Hamas release Israeli hostages before he's sworn in on January 20th. If they aren't freed, Trump said, there will be, quote, hell to pay. Princeton historian Julian Zelizer says this aggressive approach could produce a breakthrough or undermine efforts by President Biden.

[Julian Zelizer]

If his doing this somehow moves unmovable leaders on issues, that would be a good thing, but we don't know if it will work out that way. He obviously could also end up subverting Biden.

[Greg Myhre]

Trump has also threatened tariffs on Canada and Mexico, prompting leaders of those nations to reach out and seek clarification. Greg Myhre, NPR News, Washington.

[Korva Coleman]

Syrian anti government insurgents say that they have entered the central city of Hamas. This is a major Syrian government stronghold. This comes after a week of intense clashes with forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad. The fighting saw the insurgents take over all of Idlib province and large parts of Aleppo province.

[Hadil Al Shelchi]

NPR's Hadil Al Shelchi has more.

Hama has been one of the few cities in Syria that's been completely under government control since the civil war broke out in 2011. It's also a supply route used by Iran to move arms to their Lebanese ally Hezbollah. If the rebel forces capture the city fully, it will be a major victory for them since they launched a shock offensive last week which saw the takeover of Syria's second city, Aleppo. Violent clashes broke out on the eastern outskirts of Hama, but Syria's state run media denied that the insurgents had completely breached the city. The offensive is being led by a jihadist group called Hay et Tahrir al Sham, or hts. HTS is designated a terrorist organization by the United States and and is an offshoot of al Qaeda, even though it broke off ties with the group a few years ago. Hadil Al Shalchi, NPR News Authorities in.

[Korva Coleman]

Northern California say that a gunman shot and critically wounded two kindergarten students yesterday. Officials say the male gunman then shot himself to death. Butte County, California, Sheriff Corey Honey says the students attended a Seventh Day Adventist Church school.

[Corey Honey]

We have received some information that leads us to believe that the subject responsible for this shooting targeted this school because of its affiliation with the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

[Korva Coleman]

The sheriff says the man apparently spoke earlier to a school administrator about possibly enrolling a student at the school. But the sheriff says officials are not.

[Hadil Al Shelchi]

Sure if that was a ruse. You're listening to NPR News.

[Korva Coleman]

The acting director of the Secret Service will testify before a House panel today. It is investigating safety lapses before two failed assassination attempts against President elect Trump. Acting Director Ronald Roose says accountability for the Secret Service's failures is underway. Now the House panel is preparing to wrap up its investigation. The first ice free day in the Arctic Sea could come as soon as 2027. That's according to a new study in the journal Nature Communications. From member station kunc, Ray Solomon has.

[Alexandra Yan]

More picture the Arctic sea. Climatologist Alexandra Yan says it's supposed to.

[Jan Said]

Look like this sea ice as far as the eye can see from the horizon in all directions.

[Alexandra Yan]

But new computer modeling using decades of climate data suggests all that ice could melt in as soon as three years is the first time scientists have estimated the earliest ice free Arctic day. Jan Said says that would accelerate global warming.

[Jan Said]

The more sea ice we remove from the Arctic, the more sunlight gets absorbed in the Arctic and that changes how much heat overall we have in the climate system.

[Alexandra Yan]

Jan says rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the only way to prevent Arctic ice loss. For NPR News, I'm rae Solomon.

[Korva Coleman]

The UN's cultural agency, UNESCO, is honoring dozens of cultural practices and foods for distinction. That includes the Japanese rice, wine, sake and Brazilian white cheese. UNESCO says Intangible Cultural Heritage List recognizes foods and practices to protect them for future Generations.

[Hadil Al Shelchi]

This is NPR.

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